An Alpha Dog
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman continues to receive the preseason accolades and hype that comes with coach that led the Irish to a 14-2 record and #2 ranking in 2024.
Here’s one of them from the ND press release:
Freeman Selected to IBJ Media Indiana 250
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Dick Corbett Head Football Coach Marcus Freeman has been selected to IBJ Media’s Indiana 250, recognizing the 250 most influential and impactful leaders in the state of Indiana.
Now in its fourth year, the Indiana 250 list recognizes individuals ranging across several sectors, spanning business, law, government, universities, community organizations and more. The list is compiled through a monthslong process by the executives, editors and newsroom staffs at IBJ Media’s three publications: Indianapolis Business Journal, Inside INdiana Business and Indiana Lawyer.
Freeman, beginning his fourth season at the helm of the Notre Dame program, is known across the industry as an effective leader and active member of the local community. He has earned several accolades for his leadership and team success, in addition to his dedicated community service.
He enters the 2025 season after leading Notre Dame to a National Championship appearance and a 14-2 record in 2024, with a final Associated Press ranking of No. 2. He was honored with several coaching awards during the 2024 season, including: the Dodd Trophy; the Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award; the George Munger College Coach of the Year Award; the National Coalition of Minority Football Coaches College Coach of the Year honor; and the Ted Ginn Sr. Coach of the Year Award from the National Alliance of African American Athletes. He has already been named to the watch list for the 2025 Dodd Trophy.
He was also honored in 2024 as the honorary head coach for the 2024 AFCA Allstate Good Works Team, which recognizes community impact and involvement. Freeman is an avid, consistent supporter of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Michiana, an organization which helps patients and their families during extended hospital stays. Each Friday before home games during the season, Freeman visits the patients and their families, bringing along student-athletes who would like to join him. The group delivers lunches and brings Notre Dame gifts and games to the patients. However, the most important part of the visit is the time spent with each patient, getting to know them and playing games.
Freeman has also taken part in numerous charitable engagements, including visiting local schools such as St. Adalbert Catholic School in South Bend, where he surprised students with tickets to the spring football game, and speaking at philanthropic events, such as Erin’s House for Grieving Children, which supports families who have experienced a death.
He joins several representatives of the sports sector on the list, including Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever, Carlie Irsay-Gordon of the Indianapolis Colts and Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers.